5 Best Artificial Grass Products to Make Your Lawn or Home Look Fresh and Green

LAST UPDATED: February 26, 2019

34Models Considered

69Hours of Research

7Experts Interviewed

126Reviews Analyzed

Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with artificial grass, and what it is. If you play sports, you’ve probably encountered it countless times. Artificial grass is an excellent alternative to natural grass, due to the comparative ease and lower cost of maintenance. However, products vary widely and not every one is of the same level of quality that you aim for, so you must choose wisely.

We considered a wide variety of important features in order to place a product on our list. In general, you’ll find that the higher-end products are going to have a larger number of polyethylene tufts, which essentially give them a softer, “floppier” feeling. In contrast, the more “recreational” brands contain more polypropylene, giving them a tougher feeling. You’ll also see that the cheaper brands are a more bright, “artificial” green.

Top 5 Artificial Grass Products Review 2018

We spent the last couple of weeks trying to narrow down the best artificial grass for you, in hopes that you can find the perfect product for your situation. Below, you’ll find a user-friendly table, making it easy to compare-and-contrast each product against the others. Below that, are in-depth, unbiased reviews of each of our favorites. Finally, you’ll have a buying guide to ensure you’re successful in your endeavor and are 100% satisfied with the artificial grass that you select.

4.
LITA Realistic Deluxe Artificial Grass (Best Artificial Grass for Home)
A realistic-looking artificial grass mixing shorter and longer blades made of different materials, great for both indoor and outdoor use

An artificial turf product that works just about anywhere you need it to, the iCustomRug Ivy Grass Shag is made to replicate natural grass without any of the downsides to it. Made of 100% UV-stabilized olefin, it’s surprisingly soft and realistic-feeling. The only downside that we saw, was that the pile height was a bit low, making it a bit less “grassy” looking, or perhaps it just looks like it’s really been trimmed down. Other than that, the feel, color, and density are spot-on.

As it is UV-stabilized, it’s surprisingly stain-resistant, while keeping the color well. If you live in a very sunny, hot environment, like Southern California, you should just toss this one into your shopping basket, now. It does not fade, nor melt, nor get hot. We also loved the fact that when we received it, it didn’t smell odd, as so many others unfortunately did. You can even apply it right away, if you’d like, which is also quite easy to do. Installation is quick and easy, and if you need to, you can cut it to size without worrying about any fraying. Also, you can install in wherever your heart desires. It’s quite easy to clean, thanks to the perforations every few inches. Simply hose it down without worry, as the water will drain through completely, and the material is resistant against mildew.

Another, in fact probably the best option if you have kids or dogs, would be the Imozel Premium Outdoor Artificial Lawn and Turf Grass. The portable design comes with U-nails, which keeps it locked down once you settle on a place to put it, and it saves you a lot of hassle with application that others require.

Giving you the look and feel of natural grass, it’s so simple to use. If you want to save money on watering your grass, or just don’t have the time needed to properly care for natural grass, then this is a wonderful alternative. The feel is incredibly soft and natural. Each blade has a realistic thickness, with an added heaviness that will keep it in lace. Made of polypropylene, it’s still relatively lightweight, and very durable. The underside is made of a PU coating, which ensures it will last for a long time. It’s also waterproof, weather-resistant, and UV-ray protected.

Let’s say you like to throw your own events. This grass is a wonderful addition, as it’s so portable. They roll up easily, meaning you can use it for camping, at wedding events, and even use them on walls! The creativity and applications are really quite endless.

It’s hard to find such realistic-looking fake grass as the Forest Grass turf. We noticed right upon opening up the package, that the blades were amazingly realistic-looking (after a good combing-through, that is). We were unfortunately a bit disappointed that it wasn’t quite as soft as some of the others, but it’s not stiff by any means. The color is a natural 4-tone application, which also looks quite real.

Made with polyethylene, it’s very long-lasting, while still remaining non-toxic – perfect for children and animals. The backed coating is nice and durable polyurethane and comes with drainage holes to make cleaning a breeze. It’s just thick enough to give you sturdiness, while being thin enough to be able to be cut-to-size with a box cutter. The product is not only fire-resistant, but also UV-resistant, so no matter if you’d like to use it in the hot sun, or the nice air-conditioned indoors, it’ll work well for your needs. If you need a bit more insight into how durable this fake grass is, then take a look at the whopping 14-year warranty that it comes with. If you have rowdy children or are going to be using it in a place with a lot of foot traffic, it would behoove you to take a serious look at this one.

If you’re searching for the most realistic artificial grass out there, look no further than LITA. They make sure to provide a convenient double layer, but also mix thread materials (polyethylene for long threads, and polypropylene for short ones). The UV-resistant materials provide superior resilience and durability, and is very high-density for comfort and a realistic look.

We will say that when we first received the product, we were a bit apprehensive, as it came to us looking light, shiny, and frankly, fake-looking. However, as time passed and it fluffed up, it started looking more and more real. Another thing we loved, was that even in the hot, direct heat of the sun, it didn’t get to hot. In fact, it didn’t even feel warm. The non-toxic, 4-tone pattern grass is soft and lush, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor environments. Keep in mind, that the pile height is a bit more suitable for indoor use as you’d probably want a taller pile for outside. If you have children around, this is an excellent option.

Installation was one of the best experiences we’ve had with the fake grass, as all you need to do is simply mark/dig out an area, lay the base, roll the turf, and seal. However, indoor application will obviously be different. The included drainage holes are awesome, too, making for easier cleaning. While this was one of our favorites, it was also one of the most expensive products. If price isn’t an issue for you, then this just may be your go-to.

PROS:

4-tone, soft, realistic feel and look

Easy to clean and apply

Doesn’t get hot in the sun

Non-toxic and great for both indoor/outdoor use

CONS:

Expensive

Looks fake when you first get it

While it didn’t feel warm, in some cases, it can melt in super-hot sunlight

Many of us first decide to look into fake grass, due to the amount of money it can save us. No more needing to water the lawn, which can be so much money in the summertime – especially if you live in a naturally sunny or hot area. If you’re on a budget or looking to save money, this is the best option for you. The 4-tone synthetic grass mat isn’t one that we’d recommend based on how easy it is to transport – because it’s not. It is quite heavy, though, which can be great if you want it to stay put. The sturdy, rubberized backing is nice and durable, and features drain holes throughout, so cleaning is simple and quick.

The feel of the grass it’s soft, but not the softest on here. The pile height is the shortest of all on our list, which makes it a bit less realistic-looking, but it’s definitely not bad. Through rain, sunshine, and just about any other weather, it will hold up quite nicely without fading or breaking off. While we personally didn’t experience this, however, we did hear from some other consumers that upon arrival, their grass mats had several areas that looked to be cut or torn, with no visible damage to the packaging. This means that it came out of the factory this way.

PROS:

Realistic color

Made to last against all weather

Fade-resistant

Easy to clean

Low price

CONS:

Some users reported receiving the product looking damaged

Pile height is quite short, making it look a bit less realistic

Not as soft as some other models

Buying Guide

If you’re still a bit uncertain about which artificial grass is right for your needs, that’s okay! There are several excellent options above, which can be difficult to choose between. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and created the in-depth buying guide, below.

How you can use artificial grass

Just about anything you can imagine with artificial grass can be done. Undoubtedly, the most common application is to be used in place of a real lawn, at home. Instead of worrying about having to water your grass, simply replace it with artificial grass. It looks pretty realistic (depending on which one you get), without all of the maintenance and cost associated with the real thing.

Many people also use artificial grass for multiple purposes. Some products are nice and portable, so you can just roll them up and take them with you for camping, to use at weddings, for pet training pads, and much more. Some users even take things a step further and hang them up on walls!

Important features to consider before making purchase

You’re first, probably going to want to consider how real the product looks. In addition, keep in mind how durable it’s going to be, how well it will hold up in the sun, if it’s fade-resistant, and if it’s non-toxic.

Does it look natural?

How many color tones does it have? How dense are the blades? Do the blades themselves look real? How high is the pile? Shorter piles are going to look more like Astroturf than actual grass, so you’ll want to opt for 1.25 inches, as the bare minimum, so it looks like the real thing. Also, the blades themselves are usually four-color to resemble real grass, and are sometimes even made from different materials, or made of a mix of shorter and longer piles, like in case of the LITA artificial grass.

Make sure that the artificial grass stands up naturally, instead of laying down, or going in all sorts of unnatural directions.

Blades and backing materials

The most common material for the grass “blades” here, is polypropylene. This synthetic material is nice and durable, while still retaining the ability to feel soft and natural. In addition, it has that lightweight feel that real grass has. However, some are made from olefin, like the iCustomRug artificial turf. It is also quite soft, and the most stain-resistant out there.

The backing is usually made of polyurethane, which is not only durable, but relatively lightweight and easy to cut to size. Some feature rubber backing which is not as durable, due to it being naturally biodegradable, and does not respond well to water. Rubber is not nearly as common, due to it giving more of a rebound when stepped on.

Pile height

The height of the pile is definitely one of the defining characteristics of artificial grass quality. As we mentioned earlier, the taller the grass the higher quality it is, and the more natural it’s going to look. You’ll find that anything that’s an inch or lower is going to look straight-up fake. However, it’s also uncommon to find a pile height over two inches, as that starts to also border on the unkempt look, and you probably don’t want that, either.

Sizes available

Sure, you can cut most of these products down to the size that you’d like, but why waste money and product when you can most likely just get the size you want? Of course, this will depend on the product, as some only feature a couple of sizes, while others have a ton to choose from. Whatever it is, make sure you get the size that allows you the least amount of cutting and headaches.

Weight

If you’re looking to replace your yard, then weight isn’t going to be as much of an issue. However, if you want to take your artificial grass mat with you to various places, then weight will start to become a factor into your purchasing decision. If you’re going to be transporting it, definitely consider a more lightweight product.

Warranty

Warranties vary widely with these products, and also give a great amount of insight into just how high quality of a mat you’re purchasing. Some only give a 1-year limited warranty, which isn’t even worth it, in our opinion. In contrast, there are others that offer warranties well over a decade, which can tell you that you can expect your artificial grass to last at least that long.

Tips

Use a sub-base of grano dust or shockpad, or sand in-fill.

Always keep turf free of debris, dirt and dust.

Use a mild household detergent or a 3% solution of ammonia dissolved in water to clean your fake grass.

To get rid of stubborn strains like any kind of oil or grease, use mineral spirits.

To remove chewing gum or other sticky stuff, use dry ice or aerosol refrigerants to freeze it off.

Brush your fake grass regularly to keep it looking natural.

Don’t worry about the heat. If you do, use water to cool off the turf.

If you actually want to cut the grass, you should probably use a sharp knife, or a box cutter. Scissors probably aren’t going to do the job, and can end up looking choppy instead of smooth and clean.

Our Verdict

While we genuinely enjoyed each of the products we reviewed here, there were a few that really stood out to us: the iCustomrug, the Imozel, and the Forest Grass. The iCustomrug is quite realistic-looking, is durable, lightweight, and fade-resistant. It works well both indoors and outdoors, but should you live in a hot/sunny climate, then you’ll love that it doesn’t fade or melt in the sun. The Imozel is also realistic-looking, and is incredibly soft, too. While the warranty isn’t the greatest, it’s perfect if you have kids or dogs. Finally, the Forest Grass is also very durable, lightweight, and realistic-looking. While it’s also soft, it’s not quite as soft as a few of the others. All in all, no matter which one of these selections you choose, you can rest assured you’re about to receive some of the best artificial grass products there are!

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